Based upon winning percentages from last season, the New York Giants have the 2nd easiest schedule in the NFL. That will likely not be the case. With a much improved division and bad teams that have been revamped, the Giants will face a tough road to the playoffs.
Here is a look at all of the games on the Giants schedule this season:
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11 -- at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX
For the third time in four years the New York Giants will begin their quest for a Lombardi trophy against their division rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. The Giants are yet to win a season opener against the Cowboys. This offseason the Giants went on a spending spree in order to fix what was an extremely broken defense. The Giants won't have to wait long to see if their moves paid off. Despite Tony Romo likely being out with broken bones in his back, Dallas still has an offense that features Dez Bryant and rookie Ezekiel Elliott. The Giants offense should have no problem against a horrible Dallas D so the only thing between the Giants and a win is can their defense come up with some stops against the Dallas offense.
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18 -- - New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m., FOX
When the Giants and New Orleans Saints squared off in the Big Easy last season it was an offensive lovers dream. Their matchup was a nail-biter that came down to the last defense with the opportunity to let their team down. Ultimately, it would be the Giants defense that failed their offense and the Giants lost the game 52-49. However, this year the Saints come into New Jersey as the visitors and their defensive and road issues are very well known. With the Giants upgraded defense this should be a game they can't let slip away if they want to be a playoff team in 2016.
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 25 -- vs. Washington Redskins, 1 p.m., FOX
The Washington Redskins added Josh Norman in the offseason to add to what is already a fierce rivalry. Norman will return to Metlife Stadium for the first time since he and Odell Beckahm Jr. faced off last season. While that will be the storyline this game is also big for both teams. The Redskins are the defending division champions, despite having major holes and gaps still on their roster. The Redskins also had their fair share of road issues last year as they went just 3-5 away from D.C. The Giants had an easy time last year at home against the Redskins and if they want to overthrow the 'Skins as NFC East champs they need to take care of business at home against Norman and the Redskins.
Week 4: Monday, Oct. 3 -- at Minnesota Vikings, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Last year, the Minnesota Vikings played the Giants and won in convincing fashion, 49-17. But this season will be much different. Last season the game was played in frigid December temperatures while this season the game will be played in the Vikings new state of the art stadium. Also Odell Beckham will likely be a big factor in this game after missing last season's matchup while serving a one-game suspension. The Vikings look to be one of the powerhouses in the NFC and while it would take a great effort from the Giants to win, it is a game they must be competitive in if they want to prove they can compete with the NFC's elite.
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9 -- at Green Bay Packers, 8:30 p.m., NBC
The Green Bay Packers are still one of the best in the NFC, and all of the NFL for that matter. With Jordy Nelson back from a torn ACL, Randall Cobb returning and a slimmed down Eddie Lacy, the Packers offense should be as deadly as ever. We've seen the Giants beat the Packers in Green Bay for a couple of pivotal games before so it's not impossible. However, with the defense still vulnerable it is likely Aaron Rodgers will find a way to take advantage.
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 16 -- vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m., CBS
In 2016, the Giants first opponent from the AFC will be the Baltimore Ravens. While the Ravens have been an AFC contender in recent years, they fell off the map in 2015 as the Ravens finished with a disappointing 5-11 record. With so many injuries to stars like Terell Suggs, Joe Flacco and Steve Smith Sr, they are unlikely to be as bad in 2016, but this is a game the Giants need to win, especially at home, if they are to be considered a playoff team.
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23 -- at Los Angeles Rams (London) 9:30 a.m., NFL Network
This is by far the most unique game on the Giants schedule in 2016. While the Rams are returning to Los Angeles, the Giants don't get to visit L.A. when they face the Rams, instead they get the long trip across the pond to London. Eli Manning and the Giants have done it before when visiting London in 2007, in the first regular season game ever played in London. The Rams are usually a good defensive team while being very unstable on offense. This appears to be the case again this year. This game could go either way as it is hard to predict what will happen with London games.
Week 8: BYE WEEK
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 6 -- vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m., FOX
The Philadelphia Eagles are a team in rebuilding mode right now. After firing Chip Kelly last year, the Eagles are now in a tough spot. Kelly had complete power as GM so most players on the roster are Kelly's. Now the problem is Kelly is gone and new head coach Doug Pederson is in. He will have a lot of work to do to meet the high Philly expectations. Games against the Eagles are always tough, but this year is their best shot against them.
Week 10: Monday, Nov. 14 -- vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
The Cincinnati Bengals can arguably be called one of the best regulaer season teams in the AFC. But if there was one weakness: playoff and prime time games in which the Bengals lose in dramatic fashion. The latest example came in last seasons playoff game. Late in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs, the Bengals essentially secured the victory. Until costly personal fouls changed that story. With the Bengals playing on the road, the Giants definitely have a shot here to win. While this will likely be a close game the Giants have a better chance due to the Bengals prime time struggles.
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 20 -- vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m., FOX
The Chicago Bears have struggled ever since losing the 2010 NFC Championship game to their arch rival Packers. They haven't reached the playoffs since then. They are still in the process of heavily rebuilding the team and have not improved much since the end of last season. The Giants may get have a slow start but as long as they can contain Bears wideout Alshon Jeffery this will be their game to lose.
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 27 -- at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m., FOX
Speaking of rebuilding, the Cleveland Browns are a team that feels like has been in rebuilding mode for ages. The Browns have struggled to win at any games over the past few seasons and entering the season with a new coach in Hue Jackson and new QB in RGIII this should continue the struggle in Cleveland. While the Dawg Pound should may make this game more challenging there is still no reason to believe the Giants lose this game.
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 4 -- at Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:25 p.m., FOX
When healthy and fully armed the Steelers could very well be the best team in the NFL, but that hasn't been the case. Over the years they have been injury prone and this season have suspensions to starting RB Le'Veon Bell and WR Martavis Bryant. Still, with an offense led by Ben Roethlisberger an offensive shootout is in the makings here. This game could easily come down to who has the ball last.
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11 -- vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:30 p.m., NBC
When the Giants play the Cowboys the second time around chances are Tony Romo will be back for Dallas. The playoff push begins here as three of the last four games come against teams within the division. Under new head coach Ben McAdoo's offense the the Giants should be firing on all cylinders. The Cowboys and Giants games are almost always close contests. The Giants will likely have to win this game late in the season to help their playoff chances.
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18 -- vs. Detroit Lions, 1 p.m., FOX
While the Detroit Lions are in the starting stages of rebuilding, this could be a trap game. If the Giants defeat Dallas they will be riding high coming into Detroit. If that ends up being the case the Lions have a perfect chance to beat the Giants. If the Giants want any shot at the postseason they will have to win the games they are expected to win, including this game against the Lions.
Week 16: Thursday, Dec. 22 -- at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:25 p.m., NBC
The Giants luck in Philly has not been good as of late. This game will be a potentially big game in the NFC East depending on both teams position going into week 16. While the Giants usually have major struggles in the city of brotherly love, this could be the year they steal a game from Lincoln Financial field. With the Eagles in rebuilding mode this is the best chance the Giants will get to go into to Philly and pull out a W.
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1 -- at Washington Redskins, 1 p.m., FOX
This might end up the most important game of the year. This could be a make it or break it game if the Giants want to make the playoffs. The Redskins are a tough team at home which will present the Giants a lot of problems. If both teams are in playoff contention this game could decide who will emerge victorious from the crowded NFC East.